Events Preview: Conquer for Good, TEDxUMKC

There are a plethora of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious community member — we recommend these upcoming events for you.

Are you hosting a relevant community event? Feel free to add it to the FWD/KC calendar for increased exposure. Once your event is submitted, it will quickly get reviewed and then published to the calendar.

FastTrac TechVenture
When: March 1, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: UMCK SBTDC
You’re on the cusp of developing a cutting-edge technology or science-based business while Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community is buzzing and moving faster than ever before. You want to be part of it, but you need help with the details including funding and intellectual property protection.
Designed specifically by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac® TechVenture™ program is an intensive eight-session course designed to give technology and science-based entrepreneurs a proven framework and network of connections to help grow a great idea into the next viable innovation. Experienced business coaches and successful entrepreneurs work together to facilitate critical teachings, guide lively small group sessions, and share practical experiences to enhance your business. Participants learn with and from their peers, creating a powerful network that continues well after the program is complete.

Topics Include:
Identifying Funding & Investors
Pre- & Post-Money Valuation
Pitching to Investors
Financial Projections & Management
Due Diligence
Deal Sheets
Legal Structures
Business Feasibility & Demand
Class is held Wednesdays from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm for 9 weeks from March 1 – April 26.

First Wednesdays Events
When: March 1, 5:00 p.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Where: UMKC
On the first Wednesday of each month during the academic year, The Regnier Institute hosts special events designed to bring students and community members together and to inspire Bloch students to launch new ventures. These special events include inspirational stories from inductees of the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and at the end of each semester culminate in a student venture feasibility plan and pitch competition. The evenings end in pizza and networking.
Join us at a special edition of First Wednesdays and hear from Bobby Burch, editor-in-chief of Startland News and some of Kansas City’s rising entrepreneurial stars.
When: Wednesday March 1, 2017, from 5-6:30 pm
Who: Bobby Burch of Startland News Moderates a Panel of KC’s Rising Entrepreneurial Stars

Reading and Understanding Financial Statements: It’s All About the Benjamins!
When: March 1, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: UMKC SBTDC
This course is designed for business owners, managers, accountants, bankers and consultants who need to know how to turn financial statements into useful management tools. During this course, you will learn to identify key business information that is captured on the income statement and balance sheet. You will learn to calculate several ratios and understand what those ratios mean in terms of business productivity and success. You will leave this session with a greater understanding of how to read and interpret financial documents and how to use that information to drive business decisions.

Course Objectives
Identify key business information on income statements and balance sheets.
Know what key ratios indicate, why to use them and how they are calculated.
Make better decisions for your business based on sound financial understanding.

KC Roundtable Breakfast
When: March 2, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Where: Eggct
KC Roundtable is in existence to provide 20 and 30-something Kansas City entrepreneurs with a group of peers to support and collaborate on each others’ businesses. Our mission is to: – Focus on relationship building; not lead generating – Facilitate collaboration, openness, transparency, learning and teaching – Establish an entrepreneurial network – Fill the void of not having the water cooler.
We meet for breakfast and various locations around the city. In addition to our morning meetings, KC Roundtable provides additional opportunities to network with young entrepreneurs such as events like small group Mastermind sessions & After Hour events.
Prospective members are self-motivated, curious, open to learning and currently starting a new business. Thanks for checking us out. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Gigabit Discovery
When: March 2, 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Google Fiber Space
Help KC Digital Drive Build Gigabit Apps!
As part of the Smart Gigabit Communities grant (get more details here), we’re kicking off the second year of a three-year program, which includes building at least two gigabit apps. And we need your help.
Before we build apps, we need to identify an existing challenge that a gigabit app could help solve. To do that, we’re gathering a group of stakeholders representing four key areas—transportation, public safety, energy and advanced manufacturing—who are interested in Smart City applications and how they can leverage next-generation infrastructure to join us for a few hours for a Gigabit App Discovery session.
We’ll start the discussion with some project background and gigabit app examples before doing some project brainstorming. Interested in offering your input? We’d love to have you! Register now for this half-day event.

The Capital Series: Valuation of an Early-Stage Business with Rick Vaughn, Mid-America Angels
When: March 2, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Enterprise Center in Johnson County
The Capital Series is offered for investors and entrepreneurs, allowing for detailed discussions of the due diligence process, term sheets, valuations and investor pitches during the equity investment process, as well as discussion of possible sources of debt financing. Lunch provided.

Conquer for Good
When: March 2, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Gem Theater
Conquer For Good features talks by leaders working to build a thriving ecosystem of social enterprise and purpose-driven companies in Kansas City.

Career Accelerator
When: March 3, 9:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Where: Westport Commons
Our goal is to encourage students to get involved with startups and to work with innovative companies. Career Accelerator registration is free! But we do ask that both students and businesses register in advance. Students who do not pre-register, will not be guaranteed lunch.
Join us at Plexpod – Westport Commons on March 3 for an exciting and informative day of networking and helpful job hunt information!
Panel Discussion: “The Rules of the Hunt: Follow It? or Forget It!”
We’ve all heard them before: “Always wear a suit to an interview.” “Your resume should never be longer than a page.” “Send a hand-written thank you note.” — They’re the rules of applying for a job. But are they true? Attend our exciting panel and find out what the people in charge of hiring in 2017 really think!
Speed Networking
Rotate through a series of tables with a small group of fellow students and have the opportunity to connect with a variety of startups and innovative companies in our fast-paced, speed networking session.

TEDxUMKC
When: March 5, 1:00 p.m.
Where: White Recital Hall
Tickets on sale NOW for TEDxUMKC 2017: Thinking Without a Box!
Our 5th annual event on March 5th will feature captivating TEDx speakers & a musical performance.
UMKC Students: $8 | General public: $16
Get tickets here: http://tinyurl.com/TEDxUMKC2017

2017 Global Student Entrepreneurs Awards – US National Finals
When: March 6, 1:00 p.m. – March 7, 11:00 a.m.
Where: Kauffman Foundation
The top 25 students from the local US competitions will compete for the top spot to represent the US at the GSEA Global Finals in Frankfurt, Germany.
** Guest Registration **
We welcome all guests, business partners and family members at the GSEA US Nationals in Kansas City. Due to costs associated with operating this event, anyone who is NOT a student competitor or a judge must register here to access the venue for any portion of the event. We have made several pricing options available to accommodate needs. Registrations may be changed up until 27 February, but are final from that point on and will not be refunded. Please send any questions to gsea@eonetwork.org and we will respond within 48 business hours.

Ongoing events

Don’t miss out on the events that happen every week at the same time, in the same place.

Code for KC Hack Night
Mondays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Sprint Accelerator

Hammerspace Open House
Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Hammerspace

1 Million Cups
Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Kauffman Foundation, Lawrence and KC Live Stream

Looking ahead

Merge Briefing – Corum Group M&A
When: March 7, 8:30 a.m. — 10:00 a.m.
Where: Polsinelli PC
Thinking about selling in the next 1-3 years? The Merge Briefing is a 90-minute executive briefing providing an update on current software M&A trends and a brief overview of the Tech M&A process: “8 Stages to an Optimal Outcome.
Join us for the most up-to-date Tech M&A conference for executives and buyers in software, IT and related technology.
Networking begins at 8:00am

How to Pitch to the Sandbox
When: March 7, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: UMKC Innovation Center
Jeff Shackelford, director of Digital Sandbox KC, will walk you through the process of applying for and pitching to the Sandbox decision makers. After this session you’ll know exactly how to make the most effective presentation for funding support from Digital Sandbox KC and increase your chance for funding approval.

Documentary Screening: Most Likely to Succeed
When: March 7, 4:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Plexpod
Join CEED, STEAM Studio and Gould Evans for a screening of Most Likely to Succeed – an acclaimed film that provides a provocative look at the future of education, revolutionizing the way we approach “school” and student success in today’s innovative world.

See schedule below:
4:45pm – 5:45pm: Tours of Plexpod & Networking
5:45pm – 6:00pm: Introductions & Announcements
6:00pm – 7:30pm: Screening of Most Likely to Succeed quick restroom break
7:35pm – 8:15pm: Panel discussion of education leaders
8:15pm – 8:30pm: Networking

The Marketing Series: Creating a Memorable Brand Experience with Tom Morse Brown, mb creative
When: March 8, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30
Where: Sprint Accelerator
Creating a Memorable Brand Experience with Tom Morse Brown, mb creative

TechHire KC – Tech Sector Meetups at Think Big
When: March 8, 12:00 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.
Where: Think Big Partners
This meetup is for tech-sector employers looking to hire or shape the workforce pipeline.
Find out how the TechHire initiative can impact your organization, how you can participate with subsidized placements, and discover how you can influence programming, training and curriculum to better meet your workforce needs. During these meetups, we will explore those topics and dive deeper into the region’s 5-year outlook, sector best practices, labor trends, and curriculum/instructional design in I.T. in Kansas City.
Think Big Partners serves as the Tech Sector Intermediary on behalf of FEC and the TechHire initiative in Kansas City.

Bitcoin in Review – Q1 2017
When: March 10, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: C2FO 3rd floor by the big screens
Wayne Vaughan, CEO of Tierion, will be our co-host for this event. See these links to learn more about Wayne:
http://tierion.com
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/blockchain-identity-proofs/
View story at Medium.com
Attendees are encouraged in advance to “sit through” all videos (this list has been updated since the initial email) so that everyone is situated to review in a group setting and maximize the usefulness of the three, interspersed 20-minute blocks of discussion time:
https://c2folab.com/03102017.html
Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_160oMzblY8&list=PL4cOPpykx4hwzIcP
Barbecue is planned for around 11:30am and will be set up buffet style so you can eat at your leisure as we work through the material. Overall goal is simple: for all or most of us walk to away with a better understanding of the potential represented by this growing, public, decentralized, data structure.

Second Fridays
When: March 10, 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Village Square Coworking Studio
Come to Second Fridays at Village Square Coworking Studio!
Second Fridays is a casual, fun gathering for the startup community to connect on a monthly basis with no agenda except good times.
We’ll provide games & cards (bags if it’s nice). This event is BYOB with a twist – bring a 6-pack of your favorite beer to share and we’re going to have a “beer potluck” cooler. We’ll ice down everyone’s beer and have quite the selection to choose from!get to know someone over a brew!
We’d also encourage you to bring an instrument if you play. What better way to end your week than with a jam session?!
Feel free to stop by anytime after 4:30pm. We’ll hang out until everyone leaves (unless it gets ridiculous).
No RSVP necessary, just come on by!

Coding & Cupcakes
When: March 11, 1:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Where: Code Koalas
Join us for our bi-monthly coding series, Coding & Cupcakes. Parents and daughters are invited to attend sessions to learn about code and how to build websites together. No coding experience necessary! The minimum age requirement is the ability to read, type, and use a mouse. Delicious cupcakes from BabyCakes will be provided for coding fuel!

Coding & Cocktails: Introduction to Command Line
When: March 11, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: The Nerdery
Join us for our monthly coding series, Coding & Cocktails. Women are invited to attend sessions to get an introduction to website building in a fun, laid-back atmosphere.
We’ll talk about what the command line is, what to use it for, how to use it, some common commands and get you some practice with support from awesome mentors!

There will be lots of guidance and support for those with no coding experience so come join the fun!
No coding experience necessary (we mean that!)
Wifi-enabled laptop is required (don’t have one? Borrow one of ours)
Must be at least 21 to attend
Cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and light appetizers served
Please familiarize yourself with Kansas City Women in Technology’s Code of Conduct.

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